Jul 23, 2025

Book clients for free with a Shopify booking app.
Table of Contents
Why Free Appointment Booking Apps Matter

Free booking apps are a game changer for service-based Shopify stores. They provide:
No upfront cost – Perfect for testing a business model without financial commitment.
Validation before scaling – Lets solo entrepreneurs confirm demand for their services.
Reduced friction – Allows quick launches without complex setups or custom development.
Simple appointment management – Eliminates the need for investing in expensive plugins or custom solutions.
What to Expect from Free Booking Apps

While free apps offer convenience, there are typical trade-offs to consider:
Limited customization: Often restricts brand styling or displays app branding on your booking widget.
Fewer notifications: Many apps exclude SMS or even email reminders in their free tiers.
Basic admin features: Advanced dashboards, analytics, or multi-staff scheduling usually require paid plans.
Checkout dependency: Most apps force customers through Shopify’s checkout, potentially lowering conversions.
Best Free Shopify Booking Apps (Comparison Table)
1. Cowlendar (Top Recommendation)
✅ Instant bookings without Shopify checkout
✅ Staff assignment, room/equipment logic
✅ Google Calendar sync per staff
✅ POS integration for walk-ins
✅ Admin calendar with staff filters
✅ SMS/email reminders
✅ Deposits, upsells, waitlists
✅ Multi-location support
✅ Mobile-optimized booking widgets
✅ Staff performance reporting
❌ Some features require a paid plan
2. Apntly (Appointly)
✅ Staff and class scheduling
✅ Google Calendar + POS + Zoom
✅ Custom forms
❌ No equipment/room support
❌ Onboarding unclear
3. Appointo
✅ Staff assignment, rooms, and rentals
✅ POS + Zoom
✅ Deposits and upsells
✅ Admin dashboard
❌ Setup complexity can be high
4. Easy Appointment Booking (Servicify)
✅ Basic staff logic
✅ POS + Zoom + deposits
✅ Easy setup for solo businesses
❌ No reporting or advanced filters
5. BookThatApp (BTA)
✅ Advanced staff/room logic
✅ POS, Zoom, forms, calendar tools
❌ Steep learning curve
❌ No upsells noted
6. Sesami
✅ Multi-location staff logic
✅ POS, Google Calendar, onboarding
❌ Limited customization
❌ No upsells
Feature Comparison Table
Feature | Cowlendar | Apntly | Appointo | Easy Appointment | BookThatApp (BTA) | Sesami |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Instant Booking | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
Group / Event Booking | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
Rentals / Equipment | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
Shopify POS Integration | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
Google Calendar Sync | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
Zoom Integration | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
Email / SMS Reminders | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
Deposits Supported | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
Upsells Supported | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ |
Customizable Forms | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
Embedded Widget | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
Mobile-Responsive Design | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
Admin Dashboard | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
Onboarding Experience | ✅ | ❌ Unspecified | ❌ Unspecified | ❌ Unspecified | ❌ Unspecified | ✅ |
Complexity / Entry Barrier | ✅ Easy | ✅ Easy | ❌ High | ✅ Easy | ❌ High | ✅ Medium |
Why Cowlendar Is the Best Free Appointment App on Shopify

Cowlendar stands unmatched in the free category because it is specifically built for Shopify stores. Here’s why it’s the best:
Shopify-native: Seamlessly integrated into your store, eliminating redirections.
Instant bookings: Clients can book directly without undergoing Shopify checkout, significantly increasing conversions.
Reminders included: Provides email and SMS reminders , ensuring fewer no-shows.
Calendar integrations: Sync with Google Calendar effortlessly, preventing double-booking.
Easy setup: Requires zero coding skills, making installation fast and simple.
Scalable: Easily transitions to advanced features (multi-staff, upsells, add-ons) as your business grows.
👉 Try Cowlendar — the best free appointment booking app for Shopify 🔗
FAQ: Free Appointment Booking Apps on Shopify
Is there a truly free Shopify booking app?
Yes, Cowlendar and others offer free tiers. Cowlendar stands out for ease of use and instant booking UX.
Can I accept bookings without using Shopify checkout?
Only apps like Cowlendar support instant, native bookings. Most other apps require Shopify’s checkout.
Can I sync my bookings with Google Calendar for free?
Yes, Cowlendar and a few other apps provide free calendar sync.
Do free apps show their own branding?
Typically, yes—but Cowlendar offers white-label options in free plan.
Conclusion
Choosing a free booking app lets you launch faster without upfront stress or costs. Cowlendar uniquely facilitates instant bookings, offering a frictionless way to validate and grow your service-based Shopify store.
👉 Set up your first booking page with Cowlendar — no cost, no code, no checkout friction.
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